Traffic safety alert system

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for providing traffic alerts includes a distance module, analysis module, transmission module, and signaling module. The distance module measures the distance between a vehicle and an object in front of the vehicle. The analysis decides whether to signal a presence of the object that comprises determining that the measured distance is equal to or less than a threshold distance. The transmission module transmits an alert in response to the analysis module deciding to signal a presence of the object. The signaling module transmits a visual signal to one or more vehicles behind the vehicle in response to receiving the alert from the transmission module. The visual signal has one or more characteristics.

FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to traffic safety alertsystems and more particularly relates to traffic safety alert systemsfor use on large trucks and other oversized vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Large trucks such as eighteen wheelers and other oversize vehicles(e.g., buses, trailers, RVs) have high and/or wide profiles. Drivers andpassengers of cars and other motor vehicles traveling directly behindthese trucks and oversized vehicles typically cannot see in front ofthem, and as a result cannot gauge traffic conditions ahead. The onlyindication these drivers have of the traffic conditions ahead come fromthe truck's brake lights.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An apparatus for providing traffic alerts is disclosed, the apparatusincluding a distance module, analysis module, transmission module, andsignaling module. The distance module measures the distance between avehicle and an object in front of the vehicle. The analysis decideswhether to signal a presence of the object that comprises determiningthat the measured distance is equal to or less than a thresholddistance. The transmission module transmits an alert in response to theanalysis module deciding to signal a presence of the object. Thesignaling module transmits a visual signal to one or more vehiclesbehind the vehicle in response to receiving the alert from thetransmission module. The visual signal has one or more characteristics.

A method for providing traffic alerts is disclosed. The method measuresthe distance between a vehicle and an object in front of the vehicle,decides whether to signal a presence of the object—which comprisesdetermining that the measured distance is equal to or less than athreshold distance, transmits an alert in response to determining thatthe measured distance is equal to or less than the threshold distance,and transmits a visual signal to one or more vehicles behind the vehiclein response to receiving the alert.

A computer program product for providing traffic alerts is disclosed,the computer program product configured to measure the distance betweena vehicle and an object in front of the vehicle, decide whether tosignal a presence of the object—which comprises determining that themeasured distance is equal to or less than a threshold distance,transmit an alert in response to determining that the measured distanceis equal to or less than the threshold distance, and transmit a visualsignal to one or more vehicles behind the vehicle in response toreceiving the alert.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the embodiments of the invention will bereadily understood, a more particular description of the embodimentsbriefly described above will be rendered by reference to specificembodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understandingthat these drawings depict only some embodiments and are not thereforeto be considered to be limiting of scope, the embodiments will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a common scenario on a roadway involving a largetruck or other oversized vehicle;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the rear of a semi-truck trailer;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of atraffic monitoring apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating another embodiment of atraffic monitoring apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment ofa method for providing traffic alerts in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating another embodimentof a method for providing traffic alerts in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating still anotherembodiment of a method for providing traffic alerts in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating yet anotherembodiment of a method for providing traffic alerts in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases“in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughoutthis specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the sameembodiment, but mean “one or more but not all embodiments” unlessexpressly specified otherwise. The terms “including,” “comprising,”“having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to”unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of itemsdoes not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusiveand/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. Theterms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics ofthe embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. One skilled inthe relevant art will recognize that the embodiments may be practicedwithout one or more of the specific features or advantages of aparticular embodiment. In other instances, additional features andadvantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not bepresent in all embodiments.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (“RAM”), aread-only memory (“ROM”), an erasable programmable read-only memory(“EPROM” or Flash memory), a static random access memory (“SRAM”), aportable compact disc read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), a digital versatiledisk (“DVD”), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encodeddevice such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove havinginstructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of theforegoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not tobe construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves orother freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic wavespropagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., lightpulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signalstransmitted through a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

Many of the functional units described in this specification have beenlabeled as modules, in order to more particularly emphasize theirimplementation independence. For example, a module may be implemented asa hardware circuit comprising custom VLSI circuits or gate arrays,off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or otherdiscrete components. A module may also be implemented in programmablehardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmablearray logic, programmable logic devices or the like.

Modules may also be implemented in software for execution by varioustypes of processors. An identified module of program instructions may,for instance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks ofcomputer instructions which may, for instance, be organized as anobject, procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the executables of anidentified module need not be physically located together, but maycomprise disparate instructions stored in different locations which,when joined logically together, comprise the module and achieve thestated purpose for the module.

The description of elements in each figure may refer to elements ofproceeding figures. Like numbers refer to like elements in all figures,including alternate embodiments of like elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a common scenario on a roadway involving a largetruck or other oversized vehicle. In FIG. 1, there are three vehicles102, 104, 106 traveling on a road within the same lane. The firstvehicle 102 is a van but can be any type of motorized vehicle, includingwithout limitation, a car, truck, or motorcycle. The second vehicle 104is a large semi-truck but can be any kind of oversized vehicle,including without limitation a bus, tanker truck, RV, or flatbed truckcarrying oversized cargo. The third vehicle 106 is a car but can be anytype of motorized vehicle, including without limitation, a car, truck,or motorcycle. On the road, vehicles maintain a certain distance betweeneach other. The distance between the first vehicle 102 and thesemi-truck 104 is denoted as D1. The distance between the semi-truck 104and the third vehicle 106 is denoted as D2.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the rear of a semi-truck trailer 200. Asemi-truck trailer 200 may have one or two rear doors 202. In addition,it typically has a bumper 204 with integrated brake lights (not shown)on the ends of the bumper 204.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of atraffic monitoring apparatus 300 in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. The traffic monitoring apparatus 300 includes adistance module 302, an analysis module 304, a transmission module 306,and a signaling module 308, which are described below.

The apparatus 300 may be installed on a semi-truck 104. The distancemodule 302 measures a distance of between the semi-truck 104 and anobject in front of it on a roadway. Typically, the object in front ofthe semi-truck 104 is another vehicle, such as the first vehicle 102. Incertain circumstances, the object in front of the semi-truck 104 may bean animal, person, or thing (e.g., crate) obstructing the roadway. Thedistance module 302 can measure the distance between the semi-truck 104and the object in front of it by using one or more methods, includingwithout limitation, radar, lidar, and one or more cameras.

The analysis module 304 decides whether to signal a presence of theobject in front of the semi-truck 104 to one or more vehicles 106 behindthe semi-truck 104. In one embodiment, the analysis module 304 decideswhether to signal a presence of the object comprises determining whetherthe distance measured by the distance module 102 is equal to or lessthan a threshold distance. If the object in front of the semi-truck 104,such as another car, is very far ahead of the semi-truck 104 (i.e., thedistance is greater than the threshold distance), there is likely noneed to signal the presence of that car. But if another car in front ofthe semi-truck 104 is within a certain threshold distance of thesemi-truck 104, it may indicate that the semi-truck 104 is moving at anexcessive speed relative to the car in front of it. It may also indicatethat the semi-truck 104 is tailgating the car in front of it. In eitherscenario, there is an increased chance of an accident if the car infront of the semi-truck 104 suddenly decelerates. The threshold distancemay be set dynamically. In one embodiment, the threshold distance is afunction of the speed/velocity of the semi-truck 104 such that thethreshold distance increases in proportion to the speed of thesemi-truck 104 as vehicles moving at higher speeds have more momentum(p=mass×velocity). In another embodiment, the threshold distance is afunction of the surface friction of the roadway. For example, if theroadway is wet or icy, the threshold distance will be decreasedaccordingly. In yet another embodiment, the threshold distance is afunction of the weight of the semi-truck 104 and/or its trailer. Heaviervehicles have more momentum (p=mass×velocity) and take longer to slowdown, so the threshold distance may be increased for semi-trucks 104with heavier trailers. The threshold distance may also be a function ofthe grade (slope) of the roadway. A semi-truck 104 climbing an inclinewill have a shorter threshold distance while a semi-truck 104 descendinga hill will have a longer threshold distance given the effects ofgravity.

The threshold distance, in some instances, may be equivalent to aminimal braking distance of the semi-truck 104. In other instances, thethreshold distance is greater than the minimal braking distance of thesemi-truck 104 to provide a margin of safety. The minimal brakingdistance is calculated by the estimation module 406, which is describedfurther below. In one embodiment, the analysis module 304 decidingwhether to signal a presence of the object further comprises determiningthat the measured distance between the semi-truck 104 and the object isless than or equal to the minimum braking distance. In anotherembodiment, the analysis module 304 deciding whether to signal apresence of the object further comprises determining whether to thevelocity of the semi-truck 104 is equal to or greater than a thresholdvelocity. In this embodiment, the analysis module 304 will not signal apresence of an object in front of the vehicle 104 if it is moving tooslowly. For example, in city driving with stop-and-go traffic or timesof traffic congestion, the distance D1 between a semi-truck 104 and thevehicle 102 in front of it will likely be equal to or less than thethreshold distance. In these scenarios, a vehicle 106 behind thesemi-truck 104 will likely already be aware of vehicle 102 and thus donot need a visual signal.

The transmission module 306 transmits an alert to the signaling module308, described further below, in response to the analysis module 304deciding to signal a presence of the object. The alert transmitted bythe transmission module 306 has a plurality of characteristics. Onecharacteristic of an alert is its intensity. The intensity of an alertcorresponds to the distance between the semi-truck 104 and the object infront of it. For example, the intensity of an alert can be inverselyproportional to the distance between the semi-truck 104 and the objectin front of it. Another characteristic of an alert is its duration. Theduration of an alert may be measured in seconds or a fraction thereof.Yet another characteristic of an alert is a distance associated with thealert. The distance associated with an alert is equivalent to themeasured distance between the semi-truck 104 and the object in front ofit.

The signaling module 308 transmits (i.e., displays) a visual signal toone or more vehicles behind the vehicle 104 in response to receiving analert from the transmission module 306. A visual signal may take variousforms. In one embodiment, the visual signal may be a visual indicator onthe rear of the vehicle 104. For example, the visual signal mayoriginate from a separate light mounted on the rear of the semi-trucktrailer 200, such as a door 202 or a bumper 204. As another example, thevisual signal may be a LED display that shows the actual distancemeasured between the semi-truck 104 and the object in front of it. Inone example, the visual signal may be a plurality of lights arranged ina geometric pattern on the rear of the semi-truck trailer 200. Forinstance, visual signal may be a row of horizontal or vertical lights.In some instances, the visual signal may be a video showing a live feedof the roadway in front of the semi-truck 104 from one or more camerasmounted on the semi-truck 104.

A visual signal has a variety of characteristics, including withoutlimitation, intensity, duration, frequency, pattern, and color. Theintensity of a visual signal corresponds directly to the intensity ofthe alert received by the signaling module 308. For example, a moreintense alert corresponds with a brighter visual signal. The duration ofa visual signal may be measured in seconds or fractions thereof. Thefrequency of a visual signal indicates the rate at which the visualsignal is displayed (i.e., four times per second). The frequency of avisual signal may correspond to the intensity of the alert. For example,a more intense alert may result in a more rapidly blinking LED light.The pattern of a visual signal refers to the blinking pattern of thelights that make up the visual signal. For example, a visual signal maycomprise blinking lights in one or multiple directions. The color of avisual signal may change in response to the intensity of the alert.

In one embodiment, the signaling module 308 also transmits an audiosignal to the one or more vehicles behind the vehicle 104 in response toreceiving an alert from the transmission module 306. The audio signaltransmitted by the signaling module 308 may be transmitted from the rearof the vehicle 104, such as speakers mounted on the rear of a semi-trucktrailer 202. An audio signal has a variety of characteristics, includingwithout limitation, intensity, duration, frequency, and pattern. Theintensity of an audio signal corresponds directly to the intensity ofthe alert received by the signaling module 308. For example, a moreintense alert corresponds with a louder audio signal. The duration of anaudio signal may be measured in seconds or fractions thereof. Thefrequency of an audio signal indicates the rate at which the audiosignal is transmitted (i.e., four times per second). The frequency of anaudio signal may correspond to the intensity of the alert. For example,a more intense alert may result in a faster beeping sound. The patternof an audio signal refers to the arrangement of different sounds thatmake up an audio signal. For example, an audio signal may comprise apattern of beeps of varying lengths.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating another embodiment of atraffic monitoring apparatus 400 in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. The traffic monitoring apparatus 400 includes adistance module 302, an analysis module 304, a transmission module 306,and a signaling module 308, which are substantially similar to thosedescribed above in relation to the traffic monitoring apparatus 300 inFIG. 3. The traffic monitoring apparatus 400 also includes a speedmodule 402, a weight module 404, an estimation module 406, anorientation module 408, and a friction detection module 410, which aredescribed below.

The speed module 402 measures a current velocity of the vehicle 104. Inone embodiment, the speed module 402 comprises the speedometer of thevehicle 104. The weight module 404 measures a weight of the vehicle 104.In one embodiment, the weight is the combined weight of the vehicle, itspassengers, and cargo. In another embodiment, the weight is just theweight of the vehicle's 104 cargo (e.g., weight of trailer hauled bysemi-truck 104). The estimation module 406 calculates a minimal brakingdistance of the vehicle 104 by taking into account the weight andvelocity of the vehicle 104. Weight (or mass) and velocity are importantfactors in calculating braking distance because the momentum of avehicle 104 is a function of its mass times velocity. In one embodiment,the estimation module 406 calculates a minimal braking distance of thevehicle 104 by first calculating its momentum. The estimation module 406can then take the maximum force of the brakes of the vehicle 104 tocalculate how long it will take for the vehicle 104 to come to acomplete stop. Once the estimation module 406 has calculated the amountof force the amount of time it will take to stop vehicle 104, it cancalculate the minimal braking distance using the current velocity of thevehicle 104. In addition to taking into account the weight and velocityof the vehicle 104, the estimation module 406 calculating the minimalbraking distance of a vehicle 104 may also take into account otherfactors, including without limitation, the surface friction of theroadway and the grade of the roadway. The orientation module 408measures a grade (slope) of the roadway. In one embodiment, theorientation module 408 continually measures a grade of the roadway usingGPS. In another embodiment, the orientation module 408 measures anaverage grade of the roadway over a period of time. The frictiondetection module 410 measures a surface friction of the roadway. In oneembodiment, the friction detection module 410 senses the lateralfriction between one or more tires on the vehicle 104 and the roadwaysurface over a period of time.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment ofa method 500 for providing traffic alerts in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. The method 500 begins and measures502 a distance D1 between a vehicle 104 and an object in front of thevehicle 104. The method 500 determines 504 if the distance D1 is lessthan or equal to a threshold distance. If the distance D1 is not lessthan or equal to the threshold distance, the method 500 ends. If thedistance D1 is less than or equal to the threshold distance, the method500 transmits 506 an alert of the object. The method 500 transmits 508 avisual image to one or more vehicles behind the vehicle 104, and method500 ends. A visual signal has one or more characteristics.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating another embodimentof a method 600 for providing traffic alerts in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. The method 600 begins and measures602 a distance D1 between a vehicle 104 and an object in front of thevehicle 104. The method 600 determines 604 if the distance D1 is lessthan or equal to a threshold distance. If the distance D1 is not lessthan or equal to the threshold distance, the method 600 ends. If thedistance D1 is less than or equal to the threshold distance, the method600 measures 606 a speed/velocity of the vehicle 104. The method 600determines 608 if the speed/velocity of the vehicle 104 is greater thanor equal to a threshold velocity. If the velocity of the vehicle 104 isnot greater than or equal to the threshold velocity, the method 600ends. If the velocity of the vehicle 104 is greater than or equal to thethreshold velocity, the method 600 transmits 610 an alert of the object.The method 600 transmits 612 a visual image to one or more vehiclesbehind the vehicle 104, and method 600 ends.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating still anotherembodiment of a method 700 for providing traffic alerts in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention. The method 700 begins andmeasures 702 a distance D1 between a vehicle 104 and an object in frontof the vehicle 104. The method 700 determines 704 if the distance D1 isless than or equal to a threshold distance. If the distance D1 is notless than or equal to the threshold distance, the method 700 ends. Ifthe distance D1 is less than or equal to the threshold distance, themethod 700 measures 706 a speed/velocity of the vehicle 104. The method700 determines 708 if the speed/velocity of the vehicle 104 is greaterthan or equal to a threshold velocity. If the velocity of the vehicle104 is not greater than or equal to the threshold velocity, the method700 ends. If the velocity of the vehicle 104 is greater than or equal tothe threshold velocity, the method 700 measures 710 a weight of thevehicle 104. The method 700 estimates 712 a minimum braking distance ofthe vehicle 104. The minimum braking distance takes into account theweight and velocity of the vehicle 104. The method 700 determines 714 ifthe distance D1 is less than or equal to the minimum braking distance.If the distance D1 is not less than or equal to the minimum brakingdistance, the method 700 ends. If the distance D1 is less than or equalto the minimum braking distance, the method 700 transmits 716 an alertof the object. The method 700 transmits 718 a visual image to one ormore vehicles behind the vehicle 104, and method 700 ends.

FIG. 8 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating yet anotherembodiment of a method 800 for providing traffic alerts in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention. The method 800 begins andmeasures 802 a distance D1 between a vehicle 104 and an object in frontof the vehicle 104. The method 800 determines 804 if the distance D1 isless than or equal to a threshold distance. If the distance D1 is notless than or equal to the threshold distance, the method 800 ends. Ifthe distance D1 is less than or equal to the threshold distance, themethod 800 measures 806 a speed/velocity of the vehicle 104. The method800 determines 808 if the speed/velocity of the vehicle 104 is greaterthan or equal to a threshold velocity. If the velocity of the vehicle104 is not greater than or equal to the threshold velocity, the method800 ends. If the velocity of the vehicle 104 is greater than or equal tothe threshold velocity, the method 800 measures 810 a weight of thevehicle 104. The method 800 measures 812 a grade of the roadway. Themethod 800 measures 814 a surface friction of the roadway. The method800 estimates 816 a minimum braking distance of the vehicle 104. Theminimum braking distance takes into account the weight and velocity ofthe vehicle 104 as well as the grade and surface friction of theroadway. The method 800 determines 818 if the distance D1 is less thanor equal to the minimum braking distance. If the distance D1 is not lessthan or equal to the minimum braking distance, the method 800 ends. Ifthe distance D1 is less than or equal to the minimum braking distance,the method 800 transmits 820 an alert of the object. The method 800transmits 822 a visual image to one or more vehicles behind the vehicle104, and method 800 ends.

The embodiments may be practiced in other specific forms. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a distance module thatmeasures a distance between a vehicle and an object in front of thevehicle on a roadway; an analysis module that decides whether to signala presence of the object, wherein deciding whether to signal thepresence of the object comprises determining that the distance is lessthan or equal to a threshold distance; a transmission module thattransmits an alert in response to the analysis module deciding to signala presence of the object; and a signaling module transmitting a visualsignal to one or more vehicles behind the vehicle in response toreceiving the alert, the visual signal having one or morecharacteristics, wherein the signal module transmitting a visual signalto the one or more vehicles comprises displaying a visual indicator onthe rear of the vehicle, the visual indicator being separate from brakelights of the vehicle, and wherein the visual indicator indicates thedistance between the vehicle and the object; wherein at least a portionof the distance module, the analysis module, the transmission module,and the signaling module comprise one or more of hardware and executablecode, the executable code stored on one or more computer readablestorage media.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a speedmodule that measures a velocity of the vehicle; wherein the analysismodule deciding whether to signal a presence of the object furthercomprises determining that the velocity is equal to or greater than athreshold velocity.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising aweight module that measures a weight of the vehicle; and an estimationmodule that calculates a minimal braking distance of the vehicle bytaking into account the weight and velocity of the vehicle; wherein theanalysis module deciding whether to signal a presence of the objectfurther comprises determining that the distance is less than or equal tothe minimal braking distance.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, furthercomprising an orientation module that measures a grade of the roadway;wherein the estimation module calculating a minimal braking distance ofthe vehicle further takes into account the grade of the roadway.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 3, further comprising a friction detection modulethat measures a surface friction of the roadway; wherein the estimationmodule calculating a minimal braking distance of the vehicle furthertakes into account the surface friction of the roadway.
 6. (canceled) 7.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alert has an intensity and the oneor more characteristics of the visual signal corresponds to theintensity of the alert.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signalmodule further transmits an audio signal to the one or more vehicles,the audio signal having one or more characteristics.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the alert has an intensity and the one or morecharacteristics of the audio signal corresponds to the intensity of thealert.
 10. A method for providing traffic alerts comprising: measuring adistance between a vehicle and an object in front of the vehicle on aroadway; deciding whether to signal a presence of the object, whereindeciding whether to signal a presence of the object comprisesdetermining that the distance is less than or equal to a thresholddistance; transmitting an alert in response to deciding to signal apresence of the object; and transmitting a visual signal to one or morevehicles behind the vehicle in response to receiving the alert, thevisual signal having one or more characteristics, wherein transmitting avisual signal to the one or more vehicles comprises displaying a visualindicator on the rear of the vehicle, the visual indicator beingseparate from brake lights of the vehicle, and wherein the visualindicator indicates the distance between the vehicle and the object. 11.The method of claim 10, further comprising measuring a velocity of thevehicle; wherein deciding whether to signal a presence of the objectfurther comprises determining that the velocity is equal to or greaterthan a threshold velocity.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising measuring a weight of the vehicle; and calculating a minimalbraking distance of the vehicle by taking into account the weight andvelocity of the vehicle; wherein deciding whether to signal a presenceof the object further comprises determining that the distance is lessthan or equal to the minimal braking distance.
 13. The method of claim12, further comprising measuring a grade of the roadway; whereincalculating a minimal braking distance of the vehicle further takes intoaccount the grade of the roadway.
 14. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising measuring a surface friction of the roadway; whereincalculating a minimal braking distance of the vehicle further takes intoaccount the surface friction of the roadway.
 15. (canceled)
 16. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the alert has an intensity and the one ormore characteristics of the visual signal corresponds to the intensityof the alert.
 17. A computer program product for providing trafficalerts, the computer program product comprising a computer readablestorage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, theprogram instructions readable/executable by a processor to cause theprocessor to: measure a distance between a vehicle and an object infront of the vehicle on a roadway; decide whether to signal a presenceof the object, wherein deciding whether to signal a presence of theobject comprises determining that the distance is less than or equal toa threshold distance; transmit an alert in response to deciding tosignal a presence of the object; and transmit a visual signal to one ormore vehicles behind the vehicle in response to receiving the alert, thevisual signal having one or more characteristics, wherein transmitting avisual signal to the one or more vehicles comprises displaying a visualindicator on the rear of the vehicle, the visual indicator beingseparate from brake lights of the vehicle, and wherein the visualindicator indicates the distance between the vehicle and the object. 18.The computer program product of claim 17, the program instructionsfurther causing the processor to measure a velocity of the vehicle,wherein deciding whether to signal a presence of the object furthercomprises determining that the velocity is equal to or greater than athreshold velocity.
 19. The computer program product of claim 18, theprogram instructions further causing the processor to measure a weightof the vehicle; and calculate a minimal braking distance of the vehicleby taking into account the weight and velocity of the vehicle; whereindeciding whether to signal a presence of the object further comprisesdetermining that the distance is less than or equal to the minimalbraking distance.
 20. The computer program product of claim 17, whereinthe alert has an intensity and the one or more characteristics of thevisual signal correspond to the intensity of the alert.